TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Retired Gen. Franks To Speak At Tampa Charter School

ADVERTISEMENT

By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 26, 2008

Updated: 11/26/2008 12:56 pm

TAMPA - Retired Gen. Tommy Franks will launch a lecture series next week for students and corporate sponsors at a charter school backed by Tampa Bay Buccaneer Derrick Brooks.

Franks, the former head of U.S. Central Command and the man who led the U.S. invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, will appear Dec. 3 at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School, 11602 N. 15th St.

School supporters organized the lecture series as a fundraiser, soliciting corporations for sponsorships of $5,000 or higher. Those sponsors will be among guests invited to the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Brooks-DeBartolo Principal Phildra Swagger announced Franks' appearance during a school board meeting in September. The school released details of the event today.

The principal and a speaker from the state Department of Education will talk, and then Franks will speak for 30 to 45 minutes. Students then will lead tours of the school. The event will conclude with a reception and lunch with Franks, sponsors and the Brooks-DeBartolo seniors -- the school's first graduating class.

The color guard from MacDill Air Force Base also will appear, said Tom Nagy, vice president for marketing at DeBartolo Holdings.

"I bet the students are going to be awestruck by General Franks," Nagy said.

Franks retired from the military in Tampa five years ago as a revered military leader, and his biography, "American Soldier," was a best-seller. Since leaving the military, he has worked as a consultant for companies with Middle East interests and is in demand as a speaker.

In its second year, Brooks-DeBartolo emphasizes college readiness, offering Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment programs. As a charter school, it is public and free to students but operated privately.

The school enrolls about 250 students -- half its capacity -- and leaders have looked for ways to raise money. They hope to bring in more speakers and sponsorship opportunities through the Distinguished Lecture Series. Another speaker has been booked, and more are being lined up, Nagy said.

Parents also are planning Brooks-DeBartolo's first gala, for April, including an auction and entertainment.

Brooks is one of the school's founders and president of its governing board.

"Having such a distinguished military leader with personal ties to Tampa Bay kick off this lecture series gives us one more opportunity to prepare our students for future challenges," Brooks says in a written statement.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT